The Effects of Loneliness on Mental Health

According to a recent study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the National Institute of Mental Health published in Nature Mental Health, three factors—loneliness, a prior psychiatric diagnosis and stress-related social distancing—were all predictors for experiencing psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The internet-based study included more than 3,600 participants that reported their mental and physical health and COVID-related circumstances every two weeks for six months during the first year of the pandemic. Those with a previous psychiatric diagnosis experienced greater psychological distress than those without such a history, supporting public health initiatives to address loneliness and social isolation to improve mental health.